Micron's CEO Dies in Plane Crash Friday Morning
Micron's CEO was killed Friday morning while trying to land his plane at the Boise airport.
In a short statement from Micron Technology, the company announced that 51-year-old Chairman and CEO Steve Appleton passed away Friday morning in a small plane accident in Boise.
"Our hearts go out to his wife, Dalynn, his children and his family during this tragic time," the company said. "Steve's passion and energy left an indelible mark on Micron, the Idaho community and the technology industry at large."
Additional reports claim that Appleton, a professional stunt plane pilot and former motocross racer, was the only one in the plane -- an experimental fixed wing single engine Lancair -- when it crashed at the Boise airport. Ada County dispatch in southwestern Idaho said it received reports that the plane was actually on fire even before it attempted to land.
"I'd like to turn back in... and land. Coming back in," Appleton said to air traffic controllers before he went down.
Appleton crashed once before back on July 8, 2004. According to reports, Appleton sustained a punctured lung, head injuries, ruptured disk and broken bones after his stunt plane crashed in the desert just east of Boise. Even more, he didn't immediately reveal the severity of his injuries, leading to an investigation in 2006.
"My description of myself, whether I'm the CEO of a very competitive industry or whether I happen to fly aerobatics in airplanes, it's all one package," he said at the time. "I mean, it's the personality that comes through in my business at my personal life."
Appleton joined Micron back in 1983 after graduating from Boise State University with a BA in Business Management in 1982. He became chairman and CEO in 1994. According to his profile, one of his passions was participating in adventure sports. He also owned more than 20 airplanes.
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Trading in Micron shares on the NYSE has been halted as of this report, and so far there's no indication that trading will resume today. Shares were reportedly up 23 cents at $7.95 before the announcement was made on Friday afternoon. Over the past year, shares have traded between $3.97 and $11.95.
Micron said it will release additional information later on Friday.
Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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DEVILVSANGEL00 Have to say u was a brave brave man and lived ur life to the full and can tell just from reading thisReply
R.I.P Steve Appleton -
This is sad news. We should all stop and take a moment to pray for his friends and family whom he left behind.Reply
Rest in peace, Steve. -
__-_-_-__ thousands of people die of hunger everyday and no one cares. a CEO that has a private jet dies and it's all over the news.Reply -
just-be-cause __-_-_-__thousands of people die of hunger everyday and no one cares. a CEO that has a private jet dies and it's all over the news.No one said anything about not caring about anyone else who dies for any reason. This article is about this man's death because it's relvant to many other's lives and financial well being. His death is just as sad as all of the others, so that part is also included to be respectful while reporting the news that they will need to get a new CEO.Reply -
Pawessum16 CKKwanSad news. Small planes are really not safe for travelling...More like small kit planes are not safe for travelling. Key word "KIT". It's not the same as a factory made Cessna or Piper. Kit planes don't get as stringent safety regulations because their categorized as experimental by the FAA. Add in the fact that those Lancair's have some of the worse safety records, and you're playing with fire. For the vast majority of private planes, your only as safe as your pilot.Reply -
sarcasm RIP Mr. Appleton. Sad, we just got recent orders from their company too. Condolences goes out to his family and friends.Reply